I thought it would be a nice idea to talk about our loved ones for the people they were in life. I am, and always have been incredibly proud of my Dad. He was a firefighter for 30 years and achieved a lot in his career, retiring as a station officer in 2012 and soon after became the most amazing Grandad (Dadann) to my daughter. He adored his family, and I always felt loved and safe in his presence.
Dad was a talented photographer, artist, guitarist, and singer. I inherited his love of music and comedy, and we attended a few gigs together. Dad was a very intelligent, funny, rational, kind and caring man with lots of interests, and he could always help calm me when I struggled with stress or anxiety. Dad was a great chef, and made the best chilli con carne Iāve ever tasted. He loved black labradors. I could go on forever about Dad. I truly believe that heās still here with us, just in a different form, and I look forward to seeing him again on the other side.
If anyone would like to share happy memories about your loved ones, or just tell us about them as a person, Iād love to read that.
Love to all who are grieving 
Thank you for starting this thread @Lynnbug and for sharing about your Dad. This is such a lovely idea.
Iām just giving your thread a gentle ābumpā - hopefully someone will have some thoughts to share
Take care,
Megan
My husband was a 6ā4" red-haired, blue-eyed, Viking of a man. He was brilliant - Mensa brilliant. He was a ship captain and could navigate the oceans of the world using the stars, a map and a sextant. All the years of being captain made him bossy, always ordering people around and he was used to having them do what he said. Until me. LOL
My husband made the best Creole-Italian dishes and was generous to friends, family as well as the local childrenās hospital and wildlife management groups. Animals and children gravitated to him.
He lived by āgo big or go homeā and āeverything in excessā. He left nothing on the table when he died, he had done everything in life he ever wanted to do - twice.
Much love.
Your husband sounds like a wonderful man 
thank you so much for sharing
This is a wonderful idea. My beautiful son James, lived until he was 28.
He was witty, really funny, very kindā¦ heād always pop a Turkish Delight in the fridge for me, as a surprise for when I came home.
It has only been after he died last December, that Iāve found out what a wonderful friend heād beenā¦ people have got in touch to say that heād always been there for them when they were struggling and more recently I found out heād set up an online group for people who were feeling suicidal, to socialise and watch films together.
Iām so proud to have been his mum
My husband David, was my soulmate, he always knew if i was worried , seems I had a tell, i didnt know i had. He was so kind and gentle hed help anyone, He was my rock through my cancer treatment, even though at the time he was just a friend, never gave up though I tried to push him away, he was always there. We did eventually get together , and were for 28 years, we didnt need anyone else, we did everything together , he never forgot special days, always held my hand. always bought me red roses and surprise gifts just because I was worth it. He looked after me when i was ill, hugged me if I cried, he did so much. He never complained, he never said how ill he felt, didnt want to worry me,even said he feel better if i stopped asking he was ok. We never argued, he was a wonderful cook. he did all the cooking, we laughed alot, had wonderful holidays together and have so many good memories, I miss him so much.
I have just signed up tonight folks so this is all newā¦and daunting as Iām taking the step to ātalkā out loud! I feel so lost and sometimes alone, like Iām sinking slowly and I just canāt find the words to describe how awful I feel. People say āyou seem better these daysā and itās just because I have learnt to hide how much I miss my Papa Bear (Dad)! No one asks, no one understands, life has gone on for them but my world has broken!! I feel stupid and guilty for struggling and feel itās easier and better for all to cry alone and keep quiet. Others have their own problems without my grief! So there we are, I have put into words some of my feelings/thoughts 
sending love to everyone riding the grief rollercoaster, it sucks!!!
Ally, everyone here understands what you are going through and I am so sorry that you lost your dad. It is an Earth shattering loss that hits so deep. The loss of unconditional love. It will take a long time, at least 18 months before you will feel almost normal, so be patient with, and kind to, yourself. Unless someone has shared your loss, they donāt understand, at all. People here do.
Much love.
Lynn, he was bigger than life.
5 of my family members are firefighters, three generations. About to become 6. I am sorry about your dad, truly I am.
Much love.
Thank you PeachesDixon xx
My gorgeous beautiful late wife sue who sadly passed away on 1st February last year. Sue helped me rebuild my confidence after a bad divorce and I was a mess. Sue got me to realise that I wasnāt a failure and told me that I could achieve anything I put my mind to and when I lost my right leg below the knee in December 2019.sue gave me the strength to be back on my feet by the end of February 2020.when sue was diagnosed with lung cancer and pancreatic cancer as well i made sue a promise to carry on fighting for life and I will honour the promise to sue forever and I love my beautiful gorgeous wife forevermore xx
You must be incredibly proud the turkish delight made me smile youāre still his Mum, and heāll always be your son
It sounds like you really did find your soul mate thatās beautiful
Losing my Dad is by far the most difficult thing Iāve ever experienced. I think a lot of us can understand where youāre coming from. People ask how I am and I say āIām okā because its easier than trying to put my real feelings and struggles into words. Even the good days are hard, the pain is there constantly and its a continuous struggle. Its exhausting. Youāre not alone, and we understand. Well done for opening up, Iām sure your Dad will be proud of you
Thats beautiful, Martyn. I can feel the love you have for each other as I read your words. I truly do believe that youāll meet again, and until then Sues spirit will stay with you, proud and pleased that youāre honouring that promise
My husband, David, was a tiny man - only 5 foot 3 inches - the same height as I was but you get shorter as you age.
He died at 76 and three quarters in hospital where hd had been for five weeks. He thought he was only going in for three days but he was so ill. He wanted to come home but he had to resign himself to it ghat ge couldnāt.
The hospital was too far away for me to drive or travel on two buses with my own disabilities so i had to rely on other people. I did stay tso njghts
Enorac that must have been incredibly difficult for you. Iām so sorry for your loss, and I hope that you have some good support around you
Lynnbug thankyou xx
Today im having a really bad day, im not feeling great, and cant stop crying and im alone. I csant call anyone as family all at work. im going try and wrap up presents, then watch tv and maybe have a nap. I hate this its not me, but ill never be me again, without David im a shell, hed hug me when. i was upset, he always knew what i needed.
You were blessed with your wife
Kate